CrossRoadsNews, July 21, 2018 by CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

COMMUNITY

WELLNESS

Big day at the mall

West Nile found

Thou sands will be at the Mall at Stonecrest on Saturday for CrossRoads News’ Family & Back-to-School Expo. 2

Mosquitoes testing positive for the West Nile virus have been identi fied in Tucker, prompting tips to control breeding environments. 6

EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER • STONECREST

July 21, 2018

Volume 24, Number 12

www.crossroadsnews.com

Home South DeKalb to pump $20M into neighborhoods By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

In the next three years, 100 foreclosed homes in south DeKalb County will be renovated and sold to low- and moderate-income buyers because of a $20 million Home South DeKalb initiative unveiled July 17. John O’Callaghan, president and CEO of Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership Inc., said the program will pump the funds into South DeKalb neighborhoods hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis and the lingering effects of negative equity. “This is about lifting families and neighborhood,” he said. The funds will be used to rehabilitate dilapidated, vacant, abandoned single-family houses and sell them to eligible low- and moderate-income families. The targeted homes will

payment assistance to help more than 30 low- and moderateincome families to buy homes in DeKalb, Clayton, Douglas and Fulton counties and the city of Atlanta. Qualified “Home South DeKalb” buyers will receive up to $25,000 in down payment assistance and closing costs from sources managed by ANDP and will get homebuyer John O’Callaghan, training. ANDP president Callaghan said the initiative will increase homeownership and CEO rates, restore family wealth, increase neighborhood stability and improve resident health and wellness outcomes. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said he understands be in ZIP Codes – 30021, 30032, 30034, 30035, 30038, 30039, 30058, 30072, 30079, 30083, 30087, 30088, 30288, 30294 and how powerful the ANDP investment will be. “As African Americans, over 90 percent of our net worth 30316 – where the percent of homeowner negative equity is invested in home ownership,” he said. ranges from 11 to 32.4 percent. This is ANDP’s second venture in South DeKalb. In 2016, its Homebuyer Assistance Program offered $30,000 down Please see HOME SOUTH DEKALB, page 2

“This is about lifting families and neighborhood.”

GPTC cleaned house after releasing Simama Movement afoot to close South DeKalb campus

Emails between GPTC interim President Dr. D. Glen Cannon and Sara Honeywill, senior executive director of TCSG’s Office of Facilities Management, indicate a desire to end the school’s lease on this space on Wesley Chapel Road by Dec. 31, 2018.

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Georgia Piedmont Technical College has eliminated the positions of a dozen members of former President Dr. Jabari Simama’s cabinet, and it is now looking for a new home for its South DeKalb campus – all part of what it calls cost-saving restructuring. Since Simama was removed from the college on April 11 for “financial aid irregularities,” Dr. D. Glen Cannon, who became interim president on May 14, has abolished the positions of: n Rodney Keith Sagers, chief operating officer. n Dr. Tessie Bradford, associate vice president of student services. n Dr. Jackie Echols, vice president of adult education. n Zaundra Brown, public relations director. n Cynthia Edwards, vice president of community outreach. n Dr. Debra Gordon, vice president of academic affairs. n Dr. Mariam Dittmann, vice president of institutional effectiveness and technology. n Joel Alvarado, director of community outreach. n Tameika Porter, project manager - community outreach and engagement. n Ciarra McEachin, assistant director of alumni relations and GPTC Foundation’s annual fund. n Sonya Humphries, assistant director of development, GPTC Foundation. n Dr. Anthony Neal, vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of GPTC Foundation. Cannon has also terminated two administrators – Mark Komdat, vice president of business and administrative services, and Tomeka Shannon, associate vice president of business and administrative services

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

– for “serious financial and accounting errors,” and GPTC is looking to terminate the lease on the Wesley Chapel Road building that houses the South DeKalb campus. The dismissal letters, obtained by CrossRoads D. Glen Cannon News in an Open Records request, show that the administrators were all dismissed from the Clarkston-based college between May 15 and July 2. In the letters, Cannon told the administrators that their positions were “abolished through a reduction-in-force,” and that if they did not find another position within the Technical College System of Georgia or

another state agency, their last day of employment was June 29. He instructed them not to return to the campus unless requested by him. Komdat and Shannon were “dismissed” from their positions May 18 and July 2 respectively. Cory Thompson, a spokesman for the college, said eight of the 10 administrative leadership positions at the college were on the reduction in force list. He said Komdat and Shannon will be replaced but that the positions of the 12 other Simama cabinet members were eliminated. “Those positions will not be replaced,” said Thompson, GPTC’s executive director of marketing and communications. “The purpose is cost savings. We had to do this,

not because we wanted to but because we had to.” Thompson said the duties of the eliminated administrators have been redistributed among the remaining staff. “It is a heavier lift for those still here,” he said July 18. Thompson said Gordon and Edwards, who had the most years of service with the state, retired after their positions were eliminated. CrossRoadsNews has learnt that several of the dismissed administrators have filed lawsuits, or are considering challenging their dismissal in court. Please see GPTC, page 3

Community

CrossRoadsNews

July 21, 2018

“Families come out for the health screenings, the prices and surprises, and the awesome performances.”

ANDP initiative Thousands expected for Family & Back-to-School Expo to rehabilitate vacant houses Home South DeKalb will rehabilitate single-family houses in 15 ZIP Codes where the percent of homeowner negative equity ranges from 11 to 32.4 percent.

HOME SOUTH DEKALB,

from page

Thurmond said ANDP picked South DeKalb for the program because of the 600 tons of debris removed from the county and the $1.2 billion SPLOST that will be used to repave our streets, among other improvements. “Now we won’t have new homes on pothole-filled streets,” Thurmond said. District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson called the unveiling of the program “a great day” and “a proud moment” for the county and South DeKalb. Commissioner Jeff Rader, the BOC’s presiding officer, said he is happy to see the support services that surround the program. “This substantial and sustained effort will make a huge difference,” said Rader, who represents District 2. Lithonia mayor Deborah Jackson, who serves on ANDP’s board, said residents are entitled to a high quality of life whatever their ZIP Code. She said she had been telling ANDP for a while that it needed to come to DeKalb County, and that it is her hope that Home South DeKalb will become a model for other communities. Mary Gude, a 30-year DeKalb resident, said she had to attend the unveiling when she heard about it. “I think it is great what they are doing,” said Gude, who lives in the Greenforest neighborhood off McAfee Road and is a member of the Columbia Alliance Sustainable Neighborhood Initiative. “I am looking forward to this being a positive force in the county.” For more information, visit www. andpi.org/dekalb. n Homes for sale are available at www. andphomes.org/search. n Eligible homebuyer can apply at www. andphomes.org/start. n Homebuyers must access funding from lenders at www.andphomes.org/financing. n Mandatory homebuyer education course is available at www.andphomes.org/homebuyer.

Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Jan Martin (left) will emcee the popular expo, which helps students get excited about returning to school, showcases talented young people, and offers parents ideas and resources to help them prepare for 2018-2019 school year.

Thousands of families with school-aged children are expected to descend on the Mall at Stonecrest on July 21 for the annual CrossRoadsNews Family & Back-to-School Expo. The event, which is in its 13th year, celebrates the start of the new school year. Jennifer Parker, CrossRoadsNews editor and publisher, said the popular expo helps to get students excited about returning to school, showcases talented young people, and offers parents ideas and resources to help them prepare for 2018-2019 school year, which kicks off on Aug. 6 in DeKalb County. “This is one of our most popular community expos,” Parker said. “Families come out for the health screenings, the prices and surprises, and the awesome performances.”

Parker said that the Mall at Stonecrest has been a great location over the years because it and is never impacted by the weather. “Rain or shine, chilly or sweltering, it is always pleasant inside the mall,” she said. The Family & Back-to-School Expo, one of three hosted by the community newspaper, is sponsored by DeKalb County School District and Kaiser Permanente. It takes place noon to 5 p.m. on the mall’s lower level between Dillard’s and First Class Barber Shop. Nearly two dozen exhibitors – including private schools, medical centers, the YMCA, dance and cheer schools, county departments and financial planners – will offer information and giveaways. Students will

model in the Icon & Talent Fashion Show, and others will sing, dance and speak from the Main Stage near Footlocker. Dr. R. Stephen Green, DCSD superintendent and CEO, who has not missed a Family & Back-to-School Expo since he joined the district in 2015, will bring greetings. Chef Asata Reid will demonstrate a healthy after school snack, and Kaiser Permanente Educational Theater will present the funny “Name that Stress” production from the stage. One lucky expo goer will win a fabulous Back-to-School Gift Basket from the Mall at Stonecrest. The mall is at I-20 and Turner Hill Road in Lithonia. For more information, call 404284-1888.

DeKalb County hosting SPLOST open house on July 26 DeKalb residents can get updated information on DeKalb County’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax at a July 26 open house in downtown Decatur.

Participants will be formally introduced to the SPLOST Oversight Committee, and to Moreland Altobelli, the SPLOST program management team. The meeting takes place 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Historic DeKalb Courthouse. The SPLOST, approved by voters in November 2017, will provide DeKalb County an estimated $388 million over the next six years to improve roads, public safety,

parks, libraries, senior centers and health centers. The Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST), passed at the same time, will generate $110 million annually in residential property tax relief over the six years. The Historic DeKalb Courthouse is at 101 East Court Square. For more information, visit www.dekalbsplost.com.

CrossRoadsNews

July 21, 2018

Election

“The Board of Ethics should not be doing anything until that opinion comes They are going to cost taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars.”

All precincts open for runoffs Barnes Sutton seeking injunction to stop Ethics Board’s operations By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Gregory Adams

L. Cochran-Johnson

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

DeKalb voters are headed to the polls again on July 24 to finish selecting a Super District 7 commissioner in the Democratic primary, and in a nonpartisan election, a Superior Court judge to succeed Daniel Coursey, who is retiring. Other primary runoffs on the ballot are four statewide races – Democratic primaries for state School Superintendent and the 6th Congressional District, and Republican primary races for governor, lieutenant governor, and Secretary of State. All precincts are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is no early voting on July 21 and 23. Through Thursday, 4,468 of DeKalb’s 471,302 voters had cast early and absentee ballots. In District 7, media manager and political newcomer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is seeking unseat embattled incumbent Commissioner Gregory Adams, who won the office in a special election in December 2016. Within his first six months in office, Adams’ former district director Ashlee Wright accused him of sexual harassment.

Tunde Akinyele

Latisha Dear-Jackson

Cochran-Johnson said she is running to help move the county forward and that ethical and professional values and behaviors are a must. There is no Republican candidate for the District 7 seat in November, so the winner of the runoff will take the seat in January. Tunde Akinyele and Latisha Dear-Jackson are vying for the open Superior Court seat. Both have impressive legal resumes and have served on municipal courts in the county. Dear-Jackson, an 11-year municipal court judge and civil litigator, is from Los Angeles, Calif. She came to Georgia in 1994 to attend Spelman College, and has been a resident of DeKalb County since 2001. Akinyele, chief judge of the Lithonia Municipal Court, is a former 13-year DeKalb prosecutor. He was born in Nigeria and came to the United States 35 years ago at age 16 to attend college. He has been here ever since. For a sample ballot, visit https://www. dekalbcountyga.gov/voter-registrationelections/current-election-information. For more information, call 404-2984020.

Former DeKalb Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton is seeking an injunction to force the DeKalb Board of Ethics to immediately cease operations. Sutton and her attorney Dwight Thomas were set to appear before DeKalb Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson on July 20 to ask for S. Barnes Sutton the injunction. The request comes more than 15 months after Jackson issued an April 28, 2017, ruling that HB597, the law that created the Ethics Board, “is unconstitutional.” The Ethics Board, which is appealing Jackson’s ruling to the Georgia Supreme Court, has continued to operate in defiance of her decision. Thomas, who filed a “supplemental/ amended motion for post judgment restraining order” with the court on July 17, said the Ethics Board and its challenged members “must show respect for the law and set an example by complying with the law and operating within the law and not outside the law in a lawless manner.” “Why do these people get a pass?” he said Monday. “If other people have to follow the law, they should too.” In the motion, Barnes Sutton requested that the court order the four challenged members of the Ethics Board appointed by Leadership DeKalb, the DeKalb Chamber

of Commerce, the DeKalb Bar Association, and by six major universities and colleges located within the county – “divest themselves of all official records and to deliver all official books and all official papers of every sort, belonging to the DeKalb Board of Ethics, to be deposited with the Clerk of the Superior Court; and further that said challenged Board of Ethics members conduct no further taxpayer-funded official business on behalf of the DeKalb Board of Ethics pending a final decision of the Georgia Supreme Court.” Jackson’s ruling was on Barnes Sutton’s March 9, 2016, lawsuit challenging the makeup of the Ethics Board, which allowed private groups to appoint four members to the board. Before that, Ethics Board members were appointed by DeKalb’s elected CEO and Board of Commissioners. Barnes Sutton was the county’s District 4 commissioner and facing ethics charges that she misspent her office’s funds when she challenged the board’s appointments. In the lawsuit, Thomas argued that allowing private organizations to appoint members to the Ethics Board “was an unconstitutional delegation of power.” The Supreme Court heard the appeal on May 21. Thomas said it is expected to issue its opinion by October. He said that everything the Board of Ethics has done since Jackson’s ruling could become null and void and could be subjects of lawsuits. “The Board of Ethics should not be doing anything until that opinion comes,” he said. “They are going to cost taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars.”

College’s ‘reduction in force’ wiped out Simama’s leadership team GPTC,

from page

Simama, who retired from TCSG in May, said the are no winners in this scenario. “When you systematically wiped out the leadership of the college, you eliminate the institutional knowledge so important to the continuity of history, culture and success factors of the institution,” he said July 19. “Also, by using the instrument of reduction in force you are denying the due process rights of the employees, many whom worked for the college for decades.” Simama called the way TCSG implemented the reduction “mean-spirited, illegal,” and said it was directed at punishing those who supported the vision of the

former president. When TCSG Commissioner Matt Arthur tapped Cannon, a certified public accountant with more than 30 years of experience in higher education, for the GPTC position, he said he “will be a tremendous leader during this time of transition.” Asked if Cannon was cleaning house, Thompson said the college he took over had a lot of administrators. “The student count did not merit that many,” he said. “What’s happening now is that we are righting the ship so that we are better in line with the enrollment of the college.” Thompson said the South DeKalb campus, which opened at a cost of $500,000 in

August 2015 at 2460 Wesley Chapel Road, is not being targeted for closure. But emails acquired by CrossRoadsNews show Cannon discussing terminating the South DeKalb campus lease by the end of the year. In June 25 and 27 emails to Sara Honeywill, senior executive director of TCSG’s Office of Facilities Management, Cannon said “ending the lease on Dec. 31, 2018, is a financial imperative at this point.” Still, Thompson said GPTC is committed to serving South DeKalb and will continue to do so with “a location that is convenient for students and most cost-effective for the college.” He said GPTC is still enrolling students

at the campus for the fall semester, which starts Aug. 18. A month out, he said 92 students have enrolled for the fall semester at the South DeKalb Campus. Students taking summer classes at the campus on July 18 were surprised to learn that it could close or be relocated. Precious Walker, a nursing student, said it’s a 10-minute drive from her Lithonia home to class, versus a 20-minute ride to the Clarkston campus. Katrina Parker, who along with her 23year-old son La Derrick Thompson is studying for her GED, said she lives five minutes away from the campus. “If they close this down, it would devastate me,” she said. “I come here because it is

CrossRoadsNews

Community

2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007

Colet Odenigbo, with his wife, Nneka, at his side, was sworn in by Chief Judge Linda BrattonHaynes on July 13.

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Staff Writer Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Multimedia Editor Sharif Williams

CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers. The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Advertisements are published upon the representation that the advertiser is authorized to publish the submitted material. The advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless from and against any loss or expenses resulting from any disputes or legal claims based upon the contents or subject matter of such advertisements, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

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Since 2003

Odenigbo, a Nigerian immigrant, has lived in DeKalb County for more than 20 years.

New court administrator Suicide suspected in death at DeKalb Juvenile Court of inmate at DeKalb Jail

www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com

Editorial Interns Bryce Etheridge

July 21, 2018

Former DeKalb County Juvenile Court probation officer Colet Odenigbo is now administrator of the court. Odenigbo, who joined the court in May 22, took the oath of office from Chief Judge Linda Bratton-Haynes on July 13. He was a juvenile probation officer from 2000 to 2006. His swearing-in ceremony at the Gregory A. Adams Juvenile Justice Center was witnessed by a packed courtroom that included his wife, Nneka; his daughter and

son, Amarachi and Michael; and members of the Juvenile Court bench, DeKalb officials, and his relatives and friends. Odenigbo, a Nigerian immigrant, was educated in the United States and served in the U.S. Navy. He has lived in DeKalb County for more than 20 years. Most recently, he was chief of staff for DeKalb District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson. The Gregory A. Adams Juvenile Justice Center is at 4309 Memorial Drive in Decatur.

Forum

Damien Christopher Boyd, a 26-yearold DeKalb County Jail inmate, has died of an apparent suicide while in the jail, a day afDamien Boyd ter he was taken into custody. The DeKalb Sheriff ’s Office said in a July 16 statement that Boyd, of Stone Mountain, was found unresponsive inside a cell in the early hours that day by officers performing security checks. “Emergency medical services were rendered immediately by the jail’s medical staff and DeKalb Fire Rescue but Mr. Boyd was pronounced dead at the scene,” the statement said. The Sheriff ’s Office did not say how Boyd died. “The DeKalb Medical Exam-

iner’s report and official cause of death have not been received,” the statement said. Boyd was arrested by the De Kalb County Sheriff ’s Office without incident on July 15, 2018, at a Stone Mountain residence on a probation violation warrant issued in May 2018 by the Gwinnett County Sheriff ’s Office. “He was facing charges of giving false information to law enforcement and of no valid driver’s license, and was scheduled to be extradited to the Gwinnett County Jail, the Sheriff ’s Office said. Boyd is the second inmate to die from an apparent suicide at the jail this year. On Feb. 23, Willie Whonya Lowery Jr., 19, was found hanging in his cell. He died March 1 at Grady Hospital after seven days in a vegetative state. He had been in the jail’s custody on robbery charges since Jan. 4.

“The story should have been about how Brenda Pace destroyed one of the most effective community-based programs in South DeKalb.”

South Precinct’s good works destroyed by bitter critic By Faye Coffield

I am a founding member of the South Precinct Community Outreach Group that was headed by Marjorie Clay and written about in CrossRoadsNews’ July 14 story “South Precinct Maj. Johnson disciplined for improper oversight.” It is my opinion the story should have been about how Brenda Pace destroyed one of the most effective community-based programs in South DeKalb through her pettiness and desire to dictate the agenda of a group she was not an active member of. Faye Coffield I also agree with Mrs. Clay that there appears to have been a hidden agenda to prevent Major K.D. Johnson from becoming Deputy Chief, and destroy his reputation and that of our program. Ironically, the vacant Deputy Chief position is now filled by then-Maj. Cornelius Yarbro, who is now Maj. Johnson’s immediate supervisor. It is further my opinion that Brenda Pace has continued her attempts to destroy the reputation of Mrs. Clay, Maj. Johnson and our group through her continued spreading of misleading statements throughout the community and to the press. Brenda Pace wrote a $50 check to Green Pastures Church for a spring break camp that was being held there. This camp was funded through a $2,000 privately funded grant which included a paid staffer. Several of the funding individuals have stated in writing they had no problems with the manner in which the money was used. They have also spoken highly of and in defense of Mrs. Clay and Maj. Johnson. Brenda Pace does not state that she became involved in a personal dispute with Mrs. Clay over a week later and demanded her $50 donation back. Her uncashed check was returned to her. Not satisfied, she began – again in my opinion – a vindictive campaign against Mrs. Clay, Maj. Johnson and our group. It is my understanding that the only thing Maj. Johnson did was, after speaking with then Public Safety Director Dr. Cedric Alexander, write a letter explaining the camp to the four designated donors who he also knew personally. Our previous activities were no secret and many had been attended by elected officials and

The South Precinct Community Outreach Group helped residents clean up Ember Drive on Nov. 14. It plans to help residents find jobs and permanent places to live.

FILE

police command staff – none of whom raised any questions about us. These activities were also often covered in the press. Our group is a multiracial eclectic group made up of everyone from retired doctors to motel residents. We partner with individuals, businesses, churches and organizations in South DeKalb. Our sole purpose was to improve the lives of low-income South DeKalb residents, especially young people. And we are serious about it and work hard at it. All of our meetings are open to the public. Here is a partial list of what we were able to accomplish in the approximately 18 months prior to the 2017 spring break camp: n We conducted two cleanup efforts on Ember Drive, at that time one of the most dangerous and dirty streets in South DeKalb. One of our members met the school bus on Ember Drive daily and handed out sandwiches to children. n We sponsored a cookout for citizens and motel residents on Ember Drive. All leftover food was given to residents. n We conducted a job fair with jobs starting at $12-$20 an hour; some left with jobs and others were later hired. n We helped former inmates find jobs at our job fairs. n At Thanksgiving we provided, at no charge to the county, a full breakfast for South Precinct officers and others working the overnight shift. n We also provided a full luncheon for the rest of the officers at the South Precinct. n Additionally, we provided over 500 Thanksgiving turkeys to families living in the South DeKalb Precinct. n We also provided a community Thanksgiving Day meal at a local church for all in the community and served over 250.

n At Christmas, working with staff in various South DeKalb schools, families were pre-selected and received gifts and new clothing. Among these gifts were at least two new bicycles. Any toys that were left over were given to officers to pass out during the coming days. n We also sponsored a Christmas community luncheon at the precinct. This luncheon was attended not only by the community and officers but also elected officials and the some of the Command Staff of DeKalb Police Department. n Again at Christmas we again provided over 500 turkeys to community residents. n We arranged over 20 free trips to the movies, including popcorn and a drink, for youths. n We provided similar free trips to the movies for seniors. n Several of the men in our group worked with local middle and high schools to mentor youth about staying in school and out of trouble. n We hosted community events which brought citizens together with resources to improve their lives. n Most importantly we developed, filled and maintained a free library in the lobby of the South Precinct where any child or adult could come and, without any question, take a book. It is my understanding this is the only library of this type at any police precinct in the United States. In fact we often had visitors from neighboring police agencies attend our meetings to observe how we did what we did. If Brenda Pace had concerns about how her $50 was to be used then she should have asked. Instead it appears she let her personal vendettas destroy a highly effective community-based program. Faye Coffield is a longtime activist in South DeKalb. She lives in Lithonia.

July 21, 2018

CrossRoadsNews

Wellness

July 21, 2018

So far this year, no human cases of West Nile virus infection have been confirmed in DeKalb County.

Oakhurst Medical hosting two health fairs for back to school

Mosquitoes carrying West Nile found; emphasis on removing breeding sites

Back-to-school screenings include hearing and vision checks. Oakhurst will give a free book bag and school supplies to each child who gets immunized, while supplies last.

FILE

Kids headed back to school can get free immunizations and other services at Oakhurst Medical Center’s annual health fair and Family Fun Day. The Stone Mountain-based medical center is hosting its 2018 Karen Churchill-Hairston Back-to-School Health Fair and Family Fun Day in Conyers on July 22 and in Stone Mountain on July 28. There will also be free hearing, vision, and dental screenings, and book bags and school supplies giveaways to all immunized children while supplies last. Parents can also take advantage of free nutrition & obesity counseling, HIV testing, health, beauty and stress relief education, Pre-K registration, and more. Children receiving immunizations must have a copy of their current immunization record.

There will be performances, pony rides, mascots, face painting, jumpers, healthy snacks, and live local entertainment. Both health fairs/fun days take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are co-sponsored by CareSource and Amerigroup Real Solutions. The annual events were re-named this year in honor of Oakhurst Medical’s late board member Karen Churchill-Hairston, who served from 1996 until her death on March 13, 2018. For 20 years, the nonprofit Oakhurst Medical has been providing families with free health services and a day of family fun and exciting activities ahead of the new school year. The Conyers facility is at 977 Taylor St. The Stone Mountain location is at 5582 Memorial Drive. For more information, visit www. oakmed.org or call 404-298-8998.

Residents can reduce mosquito breeding by eliminating standing water in gutters and items such as planters, toys, wheelbarrows and old tires.

Mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus are still present in DeKalb and the Board of Health is educating the public to eliminate mosquito-breeding sites and protect against bites. The board said July 13 that its technicians found mosquitos carrying West Nile in the southeast portion of the city of Tucker, and it is now conducting door-to-door visits in the identified area. So far this year, no human cases of West Nile virus infection have been confirmed in DeKalb County, the board said. To reduce the spread of the virus and other mosquito-borne diseases, Board of Health technicians routinely trap mosquitoes throughout the county to test for viruses. As part of the board’s comprehensive mosquito control program, its technicians also work with residents to eliminate infestations. Measures include placing larvicide in storm drains and other areas with standing

water to young mosquitoes from becoming flying, biting adults. The Board of Health offer these tips: n Reduce mosquito breeding in your yard by eliminating standing water in gutters and items such as planters, toys, wheelbarrows and old tires. n Discourage mosquitoes from resting in your yard by trimming tall grass, weeds and vines. n Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly at dawn and dusk when the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus are most active. n Make sure window and door screens fit tightly to keep out mosquitoes. n Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. Apply according to label instructions. n Spray clothing with products containing permethrin according to label instructions. For more information about mosquitoborne illnesses, visit www.dekalbhealth.net/ envhealth or call 404-508-7900.

Free screenings, supplies at health, wellness event at juvenile court center Free health screenings and back-toschool supplies will be available at the July 25 Health & Wellness Fair at the Gregory A. Adams Juvenile Justice Center in Decatur. Available screenings include blood pres-

sure, nutrition, eye/vision, HIV, and dental. The fair takes place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Gregory A. Adams Juvenile Justice Center is at 4309 Memorial Drive in Decatur.

CrossRoadsNews

July 21, 2018

Youth

No tax-free back-to-school shopping in Georgia again

Georgia families will have to hop across the border to Alabama, Florida, South Carolina or Tennessee for tax-free shopping weekends.

For the second consecutive year, Georgia does not have a tax-free shopping weekend to help parents with their back-to-school shopping. Legislators did not support House Bill 796 sponsored by state Rep. John Corbett (R-Lake Park) in the spring. The bill was seeking to create tax-free weekends for Aug. 4-5 and Sept. 29-30. Lawmakers have to approve legislation annually because back-to-school tax-free shopping weekends are estimated to cost the state, counties and cities about $70 million in lost revenues. Families who live close to neighboring states of Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee can hop across the border to shop on these weekends: n Alabama’s tax-free weekend is July 20-22. Eligible items include certain school supplies, computers, books, and clothing. For more

information, visit https://revenue.alabama. gov/sales-use/sales-tax-holidays/. n Tennessee’s tax-free weekend is July 27-29. Eligible items include clothing that is $100 or less, school supplies and school art supplies costing $100 or less, and computers for $1,500 or less. For more information, visit https://www. tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/ sales-tax-holiday.html n Florida’s tax-free weekend is Aug. 3-5. Eligible items include certain clothing that are less than $60 per item, and certain school supplies that cost less than $15 per item. For more information, visit http://floridarevenue. com/pages/default.aspx n South Carolina’s tax-free weekend is Aug. 3-5. Eligible items include clothing, accessories, footwear, school supplies, computers, and linens. For more information, visit https://dor.sc.gov/taxfreeweekend.

06/30, 07/07, 07/14, 07/21

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name(S) OF MINOR CHILD(REN)

Legal Notices

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of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 18FM6546-1 Tabu Sophie filed a petition in the DeKalb County Supe rior Court on May 01, 2018 to change name(s) of the following minor child(ren)

from: Tuliya Tabu to Ahisha kiye Quinthia Dorcas. Any interested party has the right to appear in this case and file objections within the time prescribed in OCGA 19-12-1(f)(2) and (3). Dated: May 01, 2018

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CrossRoadsNews

July 21, 2018

Educating & Empowering the Community